By Gianna Piscitelli and Scout Engstrom
Welcome back to another school year at Branford High School. Last spring, The Branford Buzz interviewed outgoing seniors of the class of 2023 about what advice they wished they had as 9th graders.
The graduating seniors from the class of 2023 said they hope that all younger students – including this year’s incoming freshman from the class of 2027 – can benefit from the advice. As part of a regular feature, The Branford Buzz has offered similar advice to incoming students in the past.
Even though you might have heard all of these things before, it is important to take this advice seriously. Your high school years will end faster than you think and you’ll want to make the most of the experience.
Grades are important
Managing school sports, friends, and work is a big adjustment from middle school to high school. However, you need to stay on top of your grades to succeed. As senior Jake Elpi says “Don’t mess around with your grades or else you’ll be going to a college that you don’t want to end up at, and you won’t get a lot of money off of your dream school.”
Elpi said he knows how people can struggle with completing school work and getting good grades.
Stay Active
Along with managing your academics, it’s important to stay active in your school community and try new things. Senior Jill Vandale says “Participate in school activities and make good relationships with your teachers.”
She was one of the captains of the dance team during the 2022-2023 year, and she knows the impact being a part of school teams and activities can have on the relationships you create while in school.
Likewise, senior captain of the 2022 BHS football team Nate Chieffo said, “It’s important to get involved in a club or a sport to make friends.”
Being a part of the football team at BHS has given Nate a special bond with his teammates. He wants the incoming freshmen to experience what he has. Take the opportunity, join the team, join the club, and make friendships you will never forget, he advised.
Focus on what is important
Entering high school can be scary, we have all experienced the feeling of what’s going to happen next and have faced the question of “Will I fit in?”
But senior Bella Kopczuk (class of 2023) has advice. “Don’t be afraid of school, just focus on your work,” she said. “It’s really not that bad. Everyone says that but it’s true, I was scared for no reason.”
As you’re on the top of the world currently being a big 8th-grade graduate. Don’t let that feeling die. Go into high school confident and ready to succeed because you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.
Good luck and have fun, the high school time flies by.
Editor's Note: Gianna Piscitelli and Scout Engstrom graduated in June 2023 from BHS.
